Threaded pipe joint facing tool

ABSTRACT

A threaded pipe joint facing tool for refacing the shoulders of threaded pipe joints by providing a tool that moves a cutting tool radially around the tool joint axis and perpendicular to the tool joint axis at the same time for refacing a tool joint perpendicular to the joint axis. A support having internal threads for aligning the facing tool with the axis of a threaded tool joint and with a first tapered slide which when rotated about a lead screw mandrel moves longitudinally to move a second coacting tapered slide transversely to the tool joint axis carrying a cutting tool which moves radially around and perpendicular to the tool joint axis to reface the tool joint shoulder. The cutting means being adjustably supported from the second slide for longitudinal movement for selecting the amount of cut to be made. The cutting tool including a cutting edge for cutting a groove for use as an O ring groove and/or stress relief groove adjacent the tool joint shoulder. An adapter having threads on each end for supporting the facing tool for refacing the shoulders of the box end of the tool joint.

United States Patent Massey 1 Sept. 19, 1972 [54] THREADED PIPE JOINTFACING [57] ABSTRACT TOOL A threaded pipe joint facing tool for refacingthe [72] Inventor: Dulas L. Massey, 1914 Ballantine, shoulders ofthreaded pipe joints by providing a tool Houston, Tex. 77034 that movesa cutting tool radially around the tool joint [22] Filed, March 18 1971axis and perpendicular to the tool joint axis at the same time forrefacing a tool joint perpendicular to [21] Appl. No.: 125,779 the jointaxis. A support having internal threads for aligning the facing toolwith the axis of a threaded tool [52] U S Cl 82/4 C joint and with afirst tapered slide which when rotated [51] h 5/04 about a lead screwmandrel moves longitudinally to [58] Fie'ld 82/4 C 70 2 move a secondcoactirig tapered slide transversely to the tool joint axis carrying acutting tool which moves radially around and perpendicular to the tooljoint axis [56] References clied to reface the tool joint shoulder. Thecutting means UNITED STATES PATENTS being adjustably supported from thesecond slide for longitudinal movement for selecting the amount of cut2,21 1,183 8/1940 Tytus et al. ..82/4 C to be made The cutting too]including a cutting edge 3,181,398 5/1965 Rogers ..82/4 C for cutting agroove for use as an O ring groove zInd/0r stress relief groove adjacentthe tool joint shoulder. An adapter having threads on each end forsupporting the facing tool for refacing the shoulders of the box end ofthe tool joint.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures THREADED PIPE JOINT FACING TOOL BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION Generally, threaded pipe tool joints such as drill pipehave a coacting shoulder on both the pin end and the box end of thejoint which abut each other when the threaded joint is made up toprovide a metal-to-metal seal for the joint. However, when the shouldershave been damaged the joint will leak. In the past, the damagedshoulders of a threaded tool joint have been returned to a machine shopfor refacing. However, such a procedure is expensive. Other attempts atsolving the problem of repairing damaged tool joint shoulders on the jobsite and at storage yards has been made by using sanding discs andvarious filing tools which did not reface the tool joint shouldersexactly perpendicular and square to the joint axis and were thereforeineffective.

The present invention is directed to a facing tool for refacing theshoulders of a threaded pipe joint by a portable tool in which aselected amount of refacing can be made and accurately controlled andthe refacing can be made accurately and perpendicular to the joint axisto insure a satisfactory joint between the joint shoulders.

SUMMARY A further object of the present invention is to pro- I vide afacing tool having a support with internal threads for aligning the toolwith the threads on a threaded tool joint with a mandrel having a leadscrew supported coaxially of the support and a first tapered slide whichis rotatably supported from the support and connected to the lead screwfor longitudinal movement when rotated, and a second tapered slideslidably coacting with the first slide but prevented from movinglongitudinally so that it is moved transversely as the first slide ismoved longitudinally, and a cutting tool carried by the second slide forrefacing the shoulder of the joint as the first slide is rotated.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a tool forcutting a-.groove for use as an O ring groove and/or a stress reliefgroove at the shoulder of the tool joint by providing a cutting toolhaving a cutting edge shaped for cutting the groove.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a facingtool which includes an adapter having threads on each end for threadedlyengaging the threads on the box end of a tool joint and supporting thefacing tool from threads on the second end for refacing the shoulder ofthe box end of the tool joint.

Yet a still further object of the present invention is the provision ofa portable hand operated facing tool for performing facing operations inthe field and in which the cutting means is adjustably supported forcutting only the necessary amount of the shoulder to provide asatisfactory seal between abutting shoulders.

Other and further features and advantages will be apparent from thefollowing description of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view, incross section, of the present invention in position refacing theshoulder of the pin end of a pipe joint,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, in half section, taken along the line3-3 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 1 butrotated FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, in half section ofthe apparatus of FIG. 1 with the facing tool in the retracted position,

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the present inventionshown in use in refacing the shoulder of the box end of a tool joint byuse of an adapter,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view, in cross section, illustratingthe present invention in use in refacing a shoulder of a pin of adifferent size and an O ring groove by using an adapter, and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view in half section of theapparatus of FIG. 1 showing use of a shoulder beveling tool.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,and particularly to FIGS. l-6, the reference numeral 10 generally in-.dicates the facing tool of the present invention in use for facing ashoulder 12 on a conventional pin portion 14 of a threaded pipe jointhaving conventional threads 16. The present facing tool 10 is directedto move a cutting tool 18 radially around the longitudinal axis of thepin 14 and simultaneously perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thepin 14 to cut across and reface the shoulder 12 of the pin 14.

Thus a support 20 is provided having a first member 22 having internalthreads 23 for aligning the tool 10 with the axis of the pin 14 such asby coacting with threads 16 on the pin 14. The support 20 also includesa second member 24 rotatable on the first threaded member 22 andincludes a bearing 26 therebetween and held in position by a collar 28.Thus, the support 20 is coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis ofthe pin 14 so as to allow the threading tool 18 to face the shoulder 12exactly perpendicular to the axis of the pin 14.

A mandrel 30 is provided which is connected to the support 20 andsupported coaxially therefrom and locked against rotation by a pin 31.The mandrel 30 includes a lead screw 32 and a stop collar 34.

A first slide member 36 is provided which includes a slide plate 38 heldin place by screws 40. The slide plate 38 moves in slots 42 in slideretainers 43 (FIG. 3) which are bolted to support member 24 and supportthe slide 36 from the rotatable support member 24. The slide 38 andcoacting slots 42 are axially aligned with the axis of the mandrel 30and thus with the axis of pin 14 thereby allowing the slide'36 to movelongitudinally but not transversely. A second tapered slide 44 isprovided which is slidably connected to the first slide member 36 by adovetail joint 46. However, holding plates 50 are provided on the slideretainers 43 and engage the second slide 44 for preventing longitudinalmovement of the slide 44. Thus, as the first slide member 36 islongitudinally moved, the second slide member 44, because of thecoacting dovetail tapered surfaces 46, will move transversely to theaxis of the pin 14 carrying the cutting tool 18.

The first tapered slide 36 is connected to the lead screw 32 on themandrel 30 by means of the lead nuts 52 through a lead nut housing 54.Thus referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the lead nuts 52 are connected to a pin55 which will yieldably hold lead nuts 52 in a retracted position awayfrom the lead screw 32 of the mandrel 30 by a spring 56. Thus the leadnuts 52 may be released from the lead screw 32 by releasing thumb screws58 for moving the housing 54 and the first slide 36 to the desiredposition by ratcheting the lead nuts 52 across the lead screw 32. Andwhen it is desired to fully engage the lead nuts 52 the thumb screws 58are actuated to bring the nuts 52 into firm engagement with the leadscrew 32. Of course, as the lead screw housing 54 is rotated, the leadscrew housing 54 and the first tapered slide 36 will be simultaneouslyrotated and moved longitudinally in accordance with the pitch of thelead screw 32. And as the first tapered slide 36 is rotated andlongitudinally moved, the second tapered slide 44 will be rotated andmoved transversely toward the axis of the pin 14, but will not be movedlongitudinally since it is held by the holding plates 50. Any suitablemeans may be used for rotating the lead nut housing 54 and the firstslide 36 such as a handle 60 secured to the top of the tapered slide 36by pins 62.

Thus, in its initial position, as best seen in FIG. 5, the first slide36 is retracted and the second slide is positioned outwardly with thecutting tool 18 out of contact with the shoulder 12 on the pin 14. Andas best seen in FIG. 1, as the handle 60 is rotated the first taperedslide 36 is moved longitudinally moving the second tapered slide 44downwardly carrying the cutting tool 18 across the face of shoulder 12thereby refacing the shoulder.

The cutting tool 18 is secured to a tool holder 66 by a screw 68. Thetool holder 66 is secured to the second tapered slide 44 by anadjustable screw 70 which is threadedly connected to the slide 44 andincludes a collar 72 which engages the tool holder 66 for longitudinallymoving the tool holder 66 and thus the tool 18 a desired longitudinalamount. Thus, by adjusting the screw 70 the amount of the cut taken bythe cutting tool 18 may be suitably adjusted. Preferably, the cuttingtool 18 has three edges which may be interchanged as one wears out toinsure a sharp cutting edge.

The facing tool of the present invention, as best seen in FIGS. 1-6, isshown refacing the shoulder of a pin 14 of a threaded tool joint. Inaddition, the facing tool 10 may, as best seen in FIG. 7, may similarlyface the shoulder of a box end 76 of a tool joint having a shoulder 78by providing an adapter 80 which includes identical threads 82 on eachend. Thus, the threads on one end of the adapter 80 are threadedlyengaged into the threads 84 in the box and the second end of the adapter80 supports the threads 23 of the tool 10 in axial alignment with theaxis of the box 76 for refacing the shoulder78.

And, as best seenin FIG. 8, the facing tool 10 of the present inventionmay be used to face difference sized pipe by using a thread adapter 86with appropriate sized tool holder 66 such as shown therein which isadapted to be threaded onto the threads 16 of pin 14 and also coact withthe threads 23 of the facing tool 10 to hold the tool 10 axially alignedwith the axis of the pin 14. In addition, as best seen in FIG. 8, thecutting tool 18 may include a cutting surface 88 for cutting a groovefor use as an O ring groove and/or a stress relief groove adjacent thebottom of the tool joint shoulder 12. The installation of an O ring plusrefacing of the tool joint shoulder 12 will greatly add to the sealingcharacteristics of a rotary shoulder tool joint connection. In addition,the O ring groove will serve as a stress relief groove thus greatlyreducing the possibility of a fatigue failure developing at the tooljoint pin shoulder.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the present apparatus may also carry a cuttingtool 19 for forming a bevel on the shoulder 12 after facing the shoulder12. In use, the support 20 may be screwed on the threads 16 of the tooljoint 14 by use of a bar inserted through opening 21 of the support 20by holding the pin 14 secured such as by use of back-up tongs. The thumbscrews 58 (FIG. 4) are loosened and the half nut housing 54 is movedback to the collar 34. This will retract the upper slide 36 and move thesecond slide 44 outwardly along with the cutting tool 18 to a positionoutside the diameter of the tool joint, as best seen in FIG. 5. If thecutting tool 18 has not yet been inserted, it may be inserted in thetool holder and secured by the screw 68. After the thumb screw 58 hasbeen engaged to tighten the nuts 52 on the lead screw 32, the cuttingtool 18 may be set to the desired cutting depth by the adjustable screw70, preferably 0.005 inches by calibration lines on the screw 70. Thus,rotation of the handle 60 will move the lead nut housing 54 and theupper slide 36 along the lead screw 32, and move the second slide 44transversely carrying the cutting tool 18 across as well as around theface of the shoulder 12. The amount of the transverse movement will ofcourse depend, upon the pitch of the lead screw 32 and the taper of thedovetail slidable connection 46. When the cutting tool reaches the endof the shoulder 12, rotation of the apparatus 10 is stopped, the thumbscrews 58 are loosened and the lead nut housing 54 is pulled back againto the collar 34. The tool joint face 12 is checked and if furtherfacing is necessary, the above procedure is repeated until asatisfactory face is achieved.

If it is desired to reface the shoulder of the tool joint box 76, asbest seen in FIG. 7, the adapter is used. And for smaller sized pins,the adapter 86 with appropriate tool holder 66 as shown in FIG. 8 may beutilized. And if an 0 ring groove is desired, a cutting tool having an Oring cutting surface 88, as best seen in FIG. 8, may be utilized. And asshown in FIG. 9, cutting tool 19 may be used to bevel the top of ashoulder after facing the shoulder.

a The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out theobjects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as well asothers inherent therein.

What is claimed is:

l. A threaded pipe joint facing tool for refacing the shoulders ofthreaded tool joints comprising,

a support having internal threads for aligning the tool with the threadson a threaded tool joint,

a threaded mandrel connected to the support and supported coaxially ofthe threaded tool joint,

threaded means engaging and supported from the threaded mandrel,

a first tapered slide connected to the threaded means,

a second tapered slide slidably connected to the first tapered slide,

holding means connected between the support and the second tapered slidefor preventing axial movement of the second tapered slide but allowingmovement of the second slide transverse to the joint axis,

means for rotating the first slide around and along the mandrel formoving the second slide transversely and around to the tool joint axis,and

a cutting tool carried by the second slide for refacing the shoulder ofthe joint as the rotating means is actuated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cutting means is adjustablysupported from the second slide for longitudinal movement.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cutting means includes a cuttingedge for cutting a ring groove adjacent the tool joint shoulder.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

an adapter having threads on each end, one end for threadedly engagingthe threads on the box end of a tool joint and the second end of theadapter supporting the facing tool for refacing the shoulder of the boxend.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first slide is slidablysupported from the support by coacting axially aligned means.

6. A threaded pipe joint facing tool for refacing the shoulders ofthreaded tool joints comprising,

a support having internal threads for aligning the tool with one end ofa threaded tool joint,

a mandrel connected to the support and supported coaxially of thethreaded tool joint and having a threaded lead screw thereon,

a first tapered slide slidable rotatably supported from the support bycoacting axially aligned slide means,

a second tapered slide slidably connected to the first slide by adovetail connection,

holding means connected between the support and the second slide forpreventing axial movement of the second slide but allowing movement ofthe second slide transversely to the joint axis,

threaded means engaging and supported from the lead screw on the mandreland connected to the first slide,

means for rotating the first slide around and along the mandrel and formoving the second slide around and transversely to the tool joint axis,and

a cutting tool carried by the second slide for refacing the shoulder ofthe joint as the rotating means is actuated.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the cutting means is adjustablysupported from the second slide for longitudinal movement.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the cutting means includes a cuttingedge for cutting a groove adjacent the tool joint shoulder.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 including, an adap er having threads on eachend, one end for threadedly engaging the threads on the box end of atool joint and the second end of the adapter supporting the facing toolin axially alignment with the tool joint for refacing the shoulder ofthe box end. 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the cutting meansincludes a cutting surface for cutting a bevel on a joint.

1. A threaded pipe joint facing tool for refacing the shoulders ofthreaded tool joints comprising, a support having internal threads foraligning the tool with the threads on a threaded tool joint, a threadedmandrel connected to the support and supported coaxially of the threadedtool joint, threaded means engaging and supported from the threadedmandrel, a first tapered slide connected to the threaded means, a secondtapered slide slidably connected to the first tapered slide, holdingmeans connected between the support and the second tapered slide forpreventing axial movement of the second tapered slide but allowingmovement of the second slide transverse to the joint axis, means forrotating the first slide around and along the mandrel for moving thesecond slide transversely and around to the tool joint axis, and acutting tool carried by the second slide for refacing the shoulder ofthe joint as the rotating means is actuated.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the cutting means is adjustably supported from the second slidefor longitudinal movement.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thecutting means includes a cutting edge for cutting a ring groove adjacentthe tool joint shoulder.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 including, anadapter having threads on each end, one end for threadedly engaging thethreaDs on the box end of a tool joint and the second end of the adaptersupporting the facing tool for refacing the shoulder of the box end. 5.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first slide is slidably supportedfrom the support by coacting axially aligned means.
 6. A threaded pipejoint facing tool for refacing the shoulders of threaded tool jointscomprising, a support having internal threads for aligning the tool withone end of a threaded tool joint, a mandrel connected to the support andsupported coaxially of the threaded tool joint and having a threadedlead screw thereon, a first tapered slide slidable rotatably supportedfrom the support by coacting axially aligned slide means, a secondtapered slide slidably connected to the first slide by a dovetailconnection, holding means connected between the support and the secondslide for preventing axial movement of the second slide but allowingmovement of the second slide transversely to the joint axis, threadedmeans engaging and supported from the lead screw on the mandrel andconnected to the first slide, means for rotating the first slide aroundand along the mandrel and for moving the second slide around andtransversely to the tool joint axis, and a cutting tool carried by thesecond slide for refacing the shoulder of the joint as the rotatingmeans is actuated.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the cutting meansis adjustably supported from the second slide for longitudinal movement.8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the cutting means includes a cuttingedge for cutting a groove adjacent the tool joint shoulder.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 6 including, an adapter having threads on each end,one end for threadedly engaging the threads on the box end of a tooljoint and the second end of the adapter supporting the facing tool inaxially alignment with the tool joint for refacing the shoulder of thebox end.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the cutting means includesa cutting surface for cutting a bevel on a joint.